This year is the 25th anniversary of Fantasia Festival, the world’s premiere “genre” film festival located in Montreal. The likes of Quinten Tarantino and James Gunn have often praised the fest for its originality and vitality to the film scene. Contra Zoom Pod is covering the fest remotely as they are staying mostly digital this year due to Covid restrictions. Here are our most anticipated movies of the fest (so far, as they plan on announcing more) in alphabetical order. Stay tuned for film reviews, interviews and wrap up podcast down the line!
- Art Kabuki directed by Kazutaro Nakamura
This documentary focuses on the traditional performance art of kabuki, a theatrical style that originated in Japan in the early 1600’s. It is known for its elaborate costumes and makeup and combining acting with dance to create extravagant shows. During the pandemic, theaters had to close and one kabuki group headed by actor (and the films director) Kazutaro Nakamura decided to get together the best artists in Japan to create a unique experience. They made use of all the best theatre effects to put on a stunning production to present to the world as they filmed both the creation and performance seen here. This is the international premiere of the film.
- Glasshouse directed by Kelsey Egan
This dystopian film from South Africa made by the first time filmmaker Egan seems to be part 10 Cloverfield Lane, part The Beguiled, part Dogtooth, part The Happening (but not as cheesy). It tells the story of a family who has locked themselves into their greenhouse after a mysterious toxin is poisoning the air. The family tends to their crops, performs sacred rituals and takes care of their son who was exposed to the toxin. Then a stranger shows up who was also affected and is let in by one of the daughters into their sealed home as family secrets gradually get revealed. This is the world premiere of the film.
- The Righteous directed by Mark O’Brien
This is the feature film directorial debut for actor O’Brien who has previously been seen in Ready or Not, Arrival, Bad Times at the El Royale and Marriage Story. He reunites with fellow Ready or Not actor Henry Czerny and brings in Mimi Kuzyk (and himself) to tell a ghostly story that takes place in Newfoundland. A man who once left the priesthood in order to start a family now mourns the loss of their child. A stranger comes to visit the aging couple and things start to look like they may not be of the natural order. This gothic horror film is shot in black and white to highlight shadows and cause suspicion while giving the film a timeless look. This is the world premiere of the film.
- Tiong Bahru Social Club directed by Tan Bee Thiam
This Singaporean film is a comedy/SciFi satire of humanity chasing the perfect life. A 30-year-old man who still lives with his parents goes to work at the titular resort where their goal is to bring happiness (whatever that may be) to their clients. The young man soon starts to fall under the spell of his workplace as he struggles to find what will bring him happiness too. As he begins to find true happiness, he begins to question if it is really what he wants in life. This is the North American premiere of the film.
- Tombs of the Blind Dead directed by Amando De Ossorio
Fantasia Fest actually has two films they are showing that aren’t new at all, instead they are restorations that improve the film quality using original negatives, improved sound design and more. Tombs of the Blind Dead and The Unknown Man Of Shandigor are both screening at the festival to bring out some classic screams. For this 1972 film it was an early zombie film from Spain, not long after the seminal release of Night of the Living Dead. This film uses Catholic mythology to tell the story of undead Templar Knights who track their victims at night by listening for their heartbeats. This is the world premiere of the restored film.
Bonus Films:
I have already seen and covered three of the movies that will be screening at the festival and for more information you can listen and read about them.
- Alien on Stage directed by Lucy Harvey and Danielle Kummer
You can read my review of the documentary that shows a local theatre group that performed a cult production by recreating, quite faithfully, the movie Alien on stage and you can hear it talked about on episode 145: SXSW Film Festival 2021. This is the Quebec premiere of the film.
- Under the Open Sky directed by Miwa Nishikawa
You can hear me reviewing and recommending this Japanese drama about an aging former Yakuza gangster who is released from prison as he tries to get his life back on track, on episode 155: Toronto Japanese Film Festival.
- Woodlands Dark and Days Betwitched: A History of Folk Horror directed by Kier-La Janisse
You can read Rachel Ho’s review of the film and hear it talked about on episode 145: SXSW Film Festival 2021 that explores the very thorough history of folk horror on film. It is a must see for all horror fans.
For more information visit Fantasia Fest and get your tickets today! The festival runs from August 5th-25th.
